Colbo Next Door
Enso approached Colbo Next Door as a quiet reveal — a narrow corridor unfolding into something unexpected. The site, once an abandoned dumpling factory, carried traces of another time: stainless steel walls, oxide-red tile, and a patina reflecting Chinatown’s layered past. Rather than erase those details, the studio allowed them to guide the design, letting history anchor the space. The constraints of its footprint became an exercise in restraint — minimal yet warm, refined yet fluid. Opening onto the pulse of Orchard Street, Colbo Next Door now serves as a flexible home for gatherings, installations, and collaborations — a space where design and community move in rhythm.
The studio designed two bespoke versions of a clothing rack to reflect the space’s evolving nature. Built for flexibility, each piece allows shelves to be added or removed through a notched system for adaptable display. Crafted from solid white oak and stainless steel, the racks balance warmth with precision — a quiet, functional element that adapts to the store’s rhythm while maintaining a strong presence.
Working with existing details meant letting history influence where the design wanted to go — an echo from the past guiding a new endeavor.
A custom Enso industrial mirror in the bathroom reflects the textures of the original shell — designed with an integrated paper towel inset and soap dispenser, it captures fragments of the surrounding surfaces in a way that honors the building’s layered story.
Next Door connects directly to the main Colbo store through a sliding pocket door, merging the two worlds seamlessly. The passage allows for a fluid relationship between the spaces — open when the energy calls for flow, closed when intimacy is desired. This gesture set the tone for the entire design: a dialogue between what’s seen and unseen, between continuity and pause. On the Orchard Street entrance, we designed removable wood benches that notch directly into the framing of the façade. A core part of Colbo’s ethos is the community that gathers daily — reading alone, catching up with friends over coffee, or laughing with strangers. The communal benches in the original Colbo space have always embodied that spirit, so it felt essential to carry that gesture forward in the expansion. These new benches allow for the same casual gathering while offering flexibility: they can be removed or reconfigured to accommodate brand partnerships, seasonal installations, or overflow from the bar.
A concrete countertop spans the full length of the bar, emphasizing the linearity of the space. It accommodates five seats at the counter, a foldable standing bar, and dining for twelve. Designed for versatility, it shifts effortlessly from intimate brand dinners to wine-filled evenings among friends — an oasis for hosting and gathering. At the heart of Colbo’s identity is their love of vinyl and live music, and that spirit carries through here. Three custom wooden speakers by One Away Sound — handcrafted abroad and accented in red as a nod to the tile floor — anchors the wine bar in sound and tone.
Throughout the space, Item: Enso pendants and sconces bring a soft counterpoint to the steel and concrete. Hand-stitched and sewn in collaboration with Colbo, the fixtures were made from Colbo’s own deadstock fabrics — a nod to both sustainability and craft. This collaboration began with a shared question: How can we integrate the brand’s core values into the space itself? The resulting lights, made from repurposed textiles, introduce a sense of playfulness and delicacy — frilled, fabric-soft, and glowing gently against the utilitarian bones of the room.
